The Dig
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Ostia Antica
Past
WHO: Romans
WHAT: Bustling city, harbor, shops, houses, offices, military base
WHEN: 1st century
WHERE: 16 miles southwest of Rome, at the mouth of the Tiber river.
WHY: To defend the mouth of the Tiber and to trade. The grain that kept Rome alive came to this port from North Africa.
HOW:a decline of trade, silting up of the harbor, malaria caused the decline of this city, and eventually, it was abandoned.
Present
WHO: Nobody had to discover it; Romans have always lived near it.
WHAT:A complete city, shops, offices, roads and a museum.
WHEN: Used as a sheepfold in 18th century, but was never buried.
WHERE: Next to the modern town, Ostia. Two miles from Rome's major airport.
HOW: Tourist attraction and educational site.
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